Dubai: Brazil’s Jiddu Bastos Lemos beat Denmark’s Alexander Trans to win the no gi black belt open weight division of the Dubai Jiu Jitsu Open Championship at Al Wasl Club on Friday.
Lemos’ victory wrapped up the first day of the two-day tournament, which saw 48 champions crowned across six weight divisions each within eight different belt categories.
“This win means everything for my job,” said Lemos, who also finished second in the +93kg black belt division. “I get more self esteem, and I can pass on my knowledge to my students, friends and followers of Jiu Jitsu, and get more respect.”
Lemos added that while the final was difficult, his semi-final victory over compatriot Paulo Pinto meant more to him.
“I know Alexander’s game, but with Paulo, I am unsure. I lost against Paulo last year and my wife was watching that defeat, but today she is back in the stands and I have beaten him, so I have my revenge.”
Pinto found solace in the 93kg black belt category, however, where he beat fellow Brazilian Matheus Serafim.
“I’m very happy with this win,” said Pinto. “I’ve trained a lot, and this is great preparation for the forthcoming No-Gi World Championships in America, next month.
“I am currently ranked first in the world in this weight category and I am using this tournament to get my timing and takedowns prepared for America.
“This is a very good tournament with tough black belts from all other the world, every time the black belts are getting better and better here, so I feel like I’m well prepared.”
A total of 133 competitors, including 44 Emiratis, fought on day one, which was reserved to fighters who weren’t wearing the gi, a heavy cotton jacket also known as the kimono.
Saturday will see 202 participants, including 75 Emiratis compete with the gi across the same belt and weight divisions.
This event was the first of its kind to be held outside of Abu Dhabi last year when it was launched as the Asian Jiu Jitsu Open Cup. The tournament returns in rebranded form this year as a permanent fixture in the local calendar.
Off the back of Jiu Jitsu’s successful migration to Dubai, the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation is now looking to set up similar open championships in other emirates, growing the sport through the local school curriculum — as is already the case in Abu Dhabi where 40,000 boys and girls have taken to the sport in over 100 schools.
